MICRON Malaysia continues to play a prominent role in advancing STEM and AI education nationwide, expanding initiatives that bridge the digital divide, nurture young talent, and align with Malaysia’s National Semiconductor Strategy.
From championing hands-on AI learning for underserved students to funding long-term research with local universities, the company is creating pathways for Malaysians to thrive in high-tech industries.
Among its latest initiatives was serving as the sole platinum sponsor for the recently concluded AI Horizon 2025, organised by Tech Dome Penang at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre on Aug 8 and 9.
Micron Malaysia’s corporate vice-president for Assembly and Test NAND Operations (Malaysia and Singapore) and country manager for Malaysia, Amarjit Singh Sandhu, said the sponsorship reflects the company’s mission to “bridge the digital divide, empower underserved youth, and strengthen Malaysia’s AI talent pipeline.”
Funded through a grant from the Micron Foundation, the sponsorship supported workshops and competitions that directly engaged over 550 secondary school students from the B40 community, many from rural areas.
“We believe inclusive access to AI and STEM education is key to unlocking Malaysia’s potential and ensuring it remains competitive in the global semiconductor ecosystem,” Amarjit said.
“The just-concluded AI Horizon 2025 will not only elevate Penang’s position as a hub for AI innovation but also inspire a new generation of Malaysian talent to pursue careers in high-tech sectors. This sponsorship reflects Micron’s broader mission to drive meaningful impact through education, collaboration, and technology.
“Tech Dome Penang is a trusted and visionary partner in our mission to democratize access to STEM education. As a science-driven institution, it has played a pivotal role in delivering impactful programmes that inspire curiosity and build technical confidence among Malaysian youth.”
Micron’s early initiatives included INNOSPARK, a creativity-driven programme encouraging students to explore STEM through hands-on learning.
In 2024, together with Tech Dome Penang, Micron launched Chip Camp Malaysia, a four-month programme introducing 120 underprivileged students to AI, semiconductor technologies, and practical STEM skills. Other notable collaborations include Girls in Robotics, Girls in Engineering and Technology (GET), and the MakerLab Programme for Orang Asli schools, equipping rural students with digital fabrication tools such as 3D printers and microcontrollers.
Micron also supported the STEPUP2.0 Inspire Program, a collaborative effort among four universities and Penang Math Platform, with Tech Dome playing a key role in outreach. The programme guided students toward careers in computer science and engineering, with Micron serving as the largest funder.
Micron Malaysia’s education and outreach portfolio includes:
- Teach for Malaysia partnership – training 57 STEM teachers in 2023 and benefiting over 8,550 students in underserved communities, particularly in Perak and Sarawak; adopting selected schools for STEM education in collaboration with MaxMath and YTL Foundation (FrogAsia).
- Rise Against Hunger – packing over 65,000 meals for school feeding programmes and food security.
- Penang Science Cluster partnership – empowering over 600 girls with STEM and AI skills, and funding MakerLabs for Orang Asli schools across Penang and Perak, equipping them with 3D printers, microcontrollers and digital tools.
- Penang Math Platform partnership – a two-year computer science programme for Form 4 students in 10 schools.
- Resilient Cities Network collaboration – contributing to the Penang Resilience Strategy, launched on Aug 1, 2025, an actionable roadmap to address climate, infrastructure and social risks.
Recognising the Federal government’s goal of upskilling 60,000 engineers, Micron is also investing in workforce development through curriculum partnerships, national certification schemes, and non-traditional hiring pathways. This includes welcoming women returning to work, people with disabilities, and veterans from the Malaysian Armed Forces through the Veteran MyWIRA initiative.
Amarjit described Malaysia’s ambition to become a global leader in high-tech sectors as “bold and inspiring.” To retain local talent, attract global expertise, and remain competitive in the region, he emphasised the importance of forging public–private partnerships to strengthen talent development pipelines.
Within the company, Micron Malaysia runs an AI upskilling programme for its team members, using gamified learning to encourage adoption of AI tools in daily work. Externally, it has committed RM1 million over five years since 2021 for R&D collaborations with local universities, beginning with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), to support projects in smart manufacturing, semiconductor materials, and AI applications.
“Micron sees AI as a transformative force in the semiconductor industry, driving innovations in predictive analytics, autonomous manufacturing, and memory solutions tailored for AI workloads,” Amarjit explained.
“We provide mentorship programmes, competitive benefits, and inclusive engagement platforms to remain agile in a competitive market. Micron Malaysia is proud to contribute to building a resilient, skilled, and innovation-driven semiconductor workforce.”
By investing in education, innovation, and inclusion, Micron Malaysia is positioning itself not only as an industry leader but also as a committed partner in shaping Malaysia’s innovation capacity for the AI era.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of Tech Dome Penang